Can you be engaged without a ring?

Having a ring is a nice outward showing of a private commitment to marry-but it's not necessary to have the ring to be engaged. Being engaged is having a commitment to being married. Plan the wedding, and save for the ring and wedding you want!

I think it's fine, but it seems to be a big thing for guys. I think it's great that you're practical enough to focus on the big picture (and are not waiting on a ring to go ahead with your wedding plans), but if he insists I wouldn't rain on his parade too much. For me, the wedding bands are more important than the ering though.

Engagement is a commitment, the ring is just a token. We were engaged for almost 1 1/2 years before I got my ring. We told our friends and family and introduced each other as fiance. It has to be something you are both ok with, but there is certainly nothing wrong with it.

Honestly, I think that a ring, however modest, is important as a symbol. How about a temporary ring for now, even a few dolllars, something from Target or Walmart maybe, with a plan to upgrade later?

In your hearts and minds you love each and are committed the ring is icing on the cake, we got my ring off Ebay at a very good deal.

It is not needed. My FH proposed to me in September of 2010 without a ring. He wanted to get me a ring, but we just didn't have the extra money on the time for one. Anyways, I said "yes" and we both happily announced our engagement to our family and friends. We were engaged for about 6 months before he finally surprised me with a ring. Whenever someone asked about the ring, I just said we were still working on getting one. People will understand. He is STUCK on getting you a ring or you want one badly then there are LOTS of nice rings that don't cost a fortune out there. Also check out other stores instead of the big name jewelry places, they tend to have cheaper rings. Umm... Kmart, Walmart, Overstock, ebay, etc.. Or if neither of you mind -- check with your local pawn shops. Or get a temp ring for now and upgrade later.

And as Zahra said, the wedding bands are more important that the engagement ring

Also, you can do what my friend's FH did. They were tight for money at the time so instead of buying her the typical engagement rings -- he ended up buying her just a VERY nice/pretty ring and saved a butt load of money because it wasn't an "engagement" ring. She LOVED it and it is pretty (I've seen it) =)

I think that it might be important to have it because society says so, it's seems like the norm when you're engaged the first thing people ask you is to see the ring. If it doesn't matter to you and you don't mind explaining why you don't have a ring yet (which you don't have to, you can make it official as long as he's okay with it). If he's not okay with it and you don't want to have to deal with the explanations then just keep your engagement between the two of you until you get the ring.

I have been engaged since December 2009 with no engagement ring but that's because both FH and I do not wear jewelery therefore no wedding band e-ring whatsoever, it doesn't matter to either of us, my friends and family already knew that but as far as people from work etc...they can't believe it and look at me all weird when I say "no ring", the commitment is deeper than the ring. Good luck

Also just wanted to add if you consider other stones or fresh water pearl rings, the price drops down considerably...We are in a similar boat money wise, but now that I know FH is seriously looking for that ring I am looking into something that is enviromentally responible.

But to answer your question no. You do not have to have a ring to be engaged. He did give me a promise ring (and was planning to upgrade at a later date) but we have not announced to everyone our plans to everyone yet. Partly because we haven't figured out a date yet, but also we wanted to wait for our official ring. Our life together has started already, so thats all that matters to us! Do what works for you guys and makes you happy!

An engagement ring, like a wedding ring is an outward sign of commitment. Take it from me, and any others who are now divorced and remarrying, the ring doesn't make you married anymore than sitting in a garage can make you a car.

My sister and her husband have been married for 7 years and they still don't have rings, it was never important to them, why? Because he was diagnosed on a Wednesday with stage 4 lymphoma and they were told he only had months to live, they got married with a waiver for a marriage license in NY 2 days later and they are still married with no rings.

Sure, it's nice to have a ring, but your commitment to love one another will outlast any type of ring you may have and that's what is important in the end. Not a ring.

A ring is a symbol of the commitment the two of you make to each other. but is by no means necessary.

Frankly, I am grateful that I waited to get my engagement ring. The moment in which it was placed on my finger is something I will carry with me forever because of the magnitude of events immediately preceding it. I will forever have something beautiful to remember when I look back on a time that was so very sad...and I would not trade it for any other ring, cheap or expense, real or not...because it was about the moment the ring went on my finger...1 1/2 years after he proposed - in an entirely different kind of moment. But, that's just me, and i believe sometimes going with it the way it is instead of trying to "make it happen" pays a better dividend in the end.

I dont think you HAVE to have a ring to be engaged but peoples natural reaction when you say "I'm engaged!" will be "let's see the ring!"

I don't think you need to have a ring to be engaged, but I agree with MikesGirl that most people expect to "see the ring!" If he wants to buy you a huge sparkler, why doesn't he just buy you a small something now & then upgrade you for one of your anniversaries?

I don't wear an engagement ring, but that's because it is bent. We do have our wedding bands though and they are gorgeous!

Not having a ring is OK. Alot of people is engaged without rings. The ring is just materialistic You and FH will make the wedding not the ring. Not everyone is able to have a ring because of their finances I wouldn't worry about it. I would still announce your engagement to everyone and if they don't understand why you don't have a ring screw them.

Were engaged -I dont have a ring yet

While I don't think the ring is necessary people will ask you to see it if they find out you are engaged. For example my friend and I got engaged on the same weekend. I have a ring and she doesn't (they are in the design process). But when people find out we got engaged on the same weekend they ask to see our rings. While she tries not to make a big deal out of not having one the look on her face says something different.

My best friends got engaged the other night at my house, he found a ring for her at walmart that was like 70 with real diamonds but the metals were sterling and gold mix, looked great and she loved it, if you really want a ring get him to look into CZ.

I agree with what others have said... love the "no more than sitting in a garage makes you a car" Too funny! But it sounds like HE needs to get you a ring. I don't like gemstones and therefore did not want a ring. He insisted. So I let him. If he needs to do it, let him even if you don't need him to. There are lots of places to get inexpensive rings -- and btw it does not have to be a diamond. Maybe a birthstone? Or your favorite stone? Or simply a band? Lots of options.